Recognizing the influence of surface transportation on the introduction and spread of invasive plants, the FHWA hosted a conference in 2002 to examine the North American aspects of this important issue. Problems with invasive plants transcend political boundaries. Invasive species can invade and move along highway and rail corridors with ease unless the agencies managing these transportation facilities take coordinated measures to detect and control their spread. The recent trend to improve highway and rail traffic connections across the U.S. borders with Canada and Mexico leads to concerns that exotic plants will spread along these improved corridors and be carried by the resulting increased cross-border traffic.

Therefore, in response to these issues and the 1999 Executive Order 13112 on Invasive Species, we gathered over 100 scientists, technicians and policy makers from U.S. border States, Canadian Provinces and Mexican Estados to examine the possible consequences of exotic plant introduction and spread across the transportation system. Our intention was to connect with our across-the-border counterparts, share information, and determine possible partnerships that could lead to success in combating the further introduction and spread of invasive plants. The result was a very successful conference that was documented in the attached proceedings.

We are providing two copies for each division office. We suggest that the document be shared with your State department of transportation. A limited supply of extra copies is available on a first-come, first-served basis [The proceedings are out of print]. Please contact Ms. Bonnie Harper-Lore of my staff for further information at (651) 291-6104 or bonnie.harper-lore@fhwa.dot.gov.

In 2004, we are planning to hold a follow-up conference that will feature invasive plant issues and control measures relative to northern States and neighboring Canadian Provinces. Details will be available soon.

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